Seven weeks after Cyclone Tauktae, Shiyal Bet still without power

THE PASCHIM Gujarat Company Limited (PGVCL) has floated tenders for detecting fault in the marine cable transmitting power to Shiyal Bet off Pipava coast even as residents of the islet continue to be without power around two months after cyclone caused blackout in the district.

“It has been close to two months since we are living in darkness. PGVCL officers are not giving us any date by which power to Shiyal Bet will be restored. We are helpless,” Hamir Shiyal, husband of Shiyal Bet village sarpanch Bhanu Shiyal,said.

Shiyal is around 1.5 km off the busy Pipavav port. The island had got grid power for the first time in June 2016.